Padlocks have become decorative art on one fence near downtown Prattville in what appears to be a display of love.

The locks have been placed on a fence near the intersection of Bridge and Main streets along the Creekwalk. Some locks are plain but most contain either initials, a date stamp or a combination of the two.

"It seems like a cultural-type movement, something that started over in Europe," he said. "This looks like something that has taken off."

The locks in downtown Prattville sit behind Carol Brooks Home and Holiday Shoppe. Stephen Brooks, who co-owns the store with his wife, Carol, agreed with the notion that the locks are a display of love. He suggested people might have been inspired by a scene in the 2013 film "Now You See Me," in which the characters visit a bridge in Paris and the concept is explained.

Paris is the location most associated with the concept, where thousands of couples have latched locks to the fencing of Pont des Arts, a pedestrian bridge. The keys to the locks are thrown into the river as a symbol of lasting love.

Recently, the show of admiration has begun to cause a disturbance to the Paris landmark. The weight of the locks caused a portion of the fencing to fall off.

With only a couple of dozen locks on the Prattville fence, Gillespie doesn't foresee a similar situation occurring in downtown. While the city of Prattville has no connection to the locks, and Gillespie does not officially endorse the concept, he asks those who do participate to "be mindful" of where they are placed.

However, he said he feels that mindset has been accomplished already.

"It seems to be a display of love and respect," he said.

Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson said the department is aware of the locks but would not consider taking any action until complaints are filed. The property is owned by the city. Gillespie also said the city has no plans to remove the locks.

"If they don't have a problem with it, we don't have a problem with it," Thompson said.

Brooks said his concern would be litter left by those visiting the fence, but he said so far it hasn't been a problem.

He feels the concept is mostly a youthful one since "2014" is the year most inscribed on the locks.